The Libra Foundation
The Libra Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in San Francisco, California, established in 2006 by Nicholas and Susan Pritzker and their four children (Regan, Joseph, Jacob, and Isaac) as their family's principal philanthropic vehicle. The foundation operates as a pioneer in trust-based philanthropy, providing unrestricted general operating support to grassroots social justice organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$28.0M
+0.1% YoY
Grant Count
3
-40.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9.3M
+66.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Libra Foundation is committed to a vision of society that uplifts and empowers all people. The foundation believes that all people deserve to live free of systemic oppression, economic insecurity, and environmental harm.
The foundation funds BIPOC-led movements working at the grassroots to build power in communities, support democratic rights, and center those most impacted in the fight for racial, gender, and environmental justice. The guiding principle is that those closest to the problem understand those issues best and are most equipped to build and implement solutions.
The foundation's approach is intersectional, bringing together strategies that cross portfolio lines. The foundation prioritizes multi-year, unrestricted grants to frontline organizations working to bring transformational change in their communities.
Grantmaking
The foundation builds relationships of trust with grantee partners over time, looking to their lived experience and wisdom to guide the work and freeing them from red tape and paperwork. The foundation recognizes that philanthropy is just a small part of the needed solution and emphasizes funding social movements deeply, steadily, and with a learner's mind.
Grant Range
$100,000 to $200,000
Average Grant
amount: $5.6 million
How to Apply
through existing grantee network
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has national and international geographic focus. Primary grantmaking concentrates in the District of Columbia and California, with grants also reaching organizations across 25 states. Top grant locations include Washington, DC; Oakland, CA; and Amherst, MA.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $451.96 million (2023)
- Total assets: $432.16 million (2024)
- Annual giving: $28 million (2023-2024)
- Total revenues: $4.9 million (2023)
- Total expenses: $35.6 million (2023)
- Total liabilities: $5.23 million (2023)
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since September 2015
- EIN: 36-4812310
- Donations are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
109 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Amalgamated Charitable Foundation ($19,000,000), Amalgamated Charitable Foundation ($9,000,000), Mce Social Capital ($17,100).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $9,000,000 |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $19,000,000 |
| MCE SOCIAL CAPITAL SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $17,100 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Leadership:
- Supriya Lopez Pillai - President (began 2024)
- Crystal Hayling - Executive Director (served six-year tenure prior to 2024)
- Amy Freidinger - Treasurer
Board: The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that includes the Pritzker family members.
Organizational Structure: The foundation is currently seeking a Managing Director, a newly created position reporting to the President. This role will serve as a key member of the leadership team and trusted advisor, helping steward organizational strategy, culture, and impact across both Libra Foundation and Tao Rising.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NICHOLAS JPRITZKER | BOARD CHAIR | 0.1 | — |
| JACOB PRITZKER | DIRECTOR | 0.1 | — |
| JOSEPH PRITZKER | DIRECTOR | 0.1 | — |
| AMY FREIDINGER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JAMES SCHWABA | SECERETARY | 1 | — |
| REGAN PRITZKER | CO-PRESIDENT/DIR. OF IMPACT INVESTING | 3 | — |
| SUSAN S PRITZKER | CO-PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| SUPRIYA PILLAI START FROM 12162024 | PRESIDENT | 20 | — |
| ISAAC PRITZKER | DIRECTOR | 0.1 | — |
| LORI D MILLS THROUGH 12162024 | VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| CRYSTAL HAYLING THROUGH 6032024 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced multiple grant dockets in recent years supporting social justice organizations, including:
The Libra Foundation approves $20.325 million in grants for social justice$20.325 million in grants for social justice organizations
The Libra Foundation approves $20.325 million in grants for social justice$13.5 million in sustained core support grants
The Libra Foundation approves $20.325 million in grants for social justice$22 million in grants (2020)
The Libra Foundation approves $20.325 million in grants for social justice$10.2 million in grants
The Libra Foundation approves $20.325 million in grants for social justice$12.5 million in grants
The Libra Foundation approves $20.325 million in grants for social justiceThe foundation is currently conducting a search for a Managing Director position, representing a significant organizational expansion and evolution of its leadership structure.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Libra Foundation fund?
The Libra Foundation is committed to a vision of society that uplifts and empowers all people. The foundation believes that all people deserve to live free of systemic oppression, economic insecurity, and environmental harm. The foundation funds BIPOC-led movements working at the grassroots to build power in communities, support democratic rights, and center those most impacted in the fight for racial, gender, and environmental justice. The guiding principle is that those closest to the problem…
How do I apply for a grant from The Libra Foundation?
**Grant Structure & Process:** • Multi-year, unrestricted general operating support with no proposal or report required • Invitation-only application process through existing grantee network • Typical grants: $100,000 per year for two years • Grant range: $100,000 to $200,000 • No public application process **Recent Activity:** • Total grants made to date: $163 million to 319 grantee partners • 2023: 5 grants totaling $28 million • Average grant amount: $5.6 million • The foundation has made 18…
Where does The Libra Foundation make grants?
The foundation has national and international geographic focus. Primary grantmaking concentrates in the District of Columbia and California, with grants also reaching organizations across 25 states. Top grant locations include Washington, DC; Oakland, CA; and Amherst, MA.
What size grants does The Libra Foundation award?
In 2024, The Libra Foundation awarded 3 grants totaling $28.0M — an average of about $9.3M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Libra Foundation's EIN?
The Libra Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4812310. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Libra Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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